MANILA, Philippines — The camp of WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse believes his ward will stop Manny Pacquiao when they lock horns in July.
Speaking to Philstar.com during their brief stay in Manila last week for the press conference for the July 15 fight, Mario Arano, Matthysse’s manager, said he has been a follower of Pacquiao’s career.
“I saw his (Pacquiao’s) fights live in Las Vegas and many places,” he told Philstar.com through Golden Boy Promotions public relations head Ramiro Gonzalez, who acted as his translator.
It was Arano who also made the bold declaration that “Pacquiao’s time is over.” He told a packed crowd at the presser inside the Grand Ballroom of City of Dreams that it’s Matthysse’s time now.
And he believes the 35-year-old pride of Chubut, Argentina will beat Pacquiao in spectacular fashion in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“I still think Lucas is gonna knock Pacquiao out,” Arano added.
Pacquiao, who possesses a granite chin, has been knocked out only three times in his career. It will take a great deal of power and timing for someone dreaming to stop the Filipino icon.